Two dead from Shelter Valley collision

East County News Service

April 6, 2026 (San Diego County) – A head-on collision Saturday, April 4 on State Route 78 south of S-2 in Shelter Valley near Julian resulted in two deaths and two others injured.

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection/San Diego County Fire responded along with multiple other agencies to the crash, which required extensive extrication.

Two persons from the collision were airlifted to local trauma centers and two others were pronounced dead at the scene.

Highway 78 was closed in both directions for approximately five hours during the incident.

CAL FIRE/San Diego County Fire posted on social media: “We are grateful for the coordinated response and support from our assisting agencies, including the California Highway Patrol, San Diego County Sheriff’s Office, REACH Air, and Mercy Air.

“Thank you to all personnel involved for their professionalism and teamwork during this difficult incident